Navigator that receives a location identifier and related systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A navigator receives a location identifier such as an address via signal transmission and calculates a route to or from the identified location. By transmitting a starting location and/or a destination to a navigator, one can eliminate the need for entering this information manually. For example, one typically stores addresses in a device such as a computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone. But instead of accessing an address and then manually entering it into the navigator, one can cause the device to download the address to the navigator via signal transmission. This saves time and reduces the chance of errors as compared to manual entry. Alternatively, the navigator can receive the location identifier from a data-storage medium such as a CD-ROM or from a data-storage device such as a memory card.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 60/301,915, which was filed on Jun. 29, 2001 and which isincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A high-end Global Positioning System (GPS) navigator candetermine a route from a specified starting location to a specifieddestination and can guide a traveler along the route. A GPS navigatordetermines its current location on the surface of the earth bytriangulating signals from GPS satellites and can determine the distanceand direction of another known location with respect to the currentlocation. To map a route, the traveler first specifies the startinglocation and destination. Alternatively, the navigator may use itscurrent location as the starting location so that the traveler need onlyspecify the destination. Next, the navigator calculates and stores aroute between the starting location and destination. Then, the navigatorguides the traveler along the route by monitoring his position andproviding him directions such as where to make a turn. The navigator maybe portable such that the traveler can carry it with him, or it may beinstalled in a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0003] The traveler typically specifies the starting location (ifnecessary) and the destination by entering them into the GPS navigatorusing the navigator's input interface, which can be, e.g., a keypad, atouch screen, or voice-recognition interface. For standard locations inthe United States, the traveler typically enters a street address thatincludes the number and name of the street, city, state, and zip code.For well-known locations such as the White House or the Grand Canyon,the navigator may allow the traveler to merely enter the location name.

[0004] Unfortunately, entering the starting location and/or destinationusing the GPS navigator's input interface is often time-consuming andprone to error. Typically, the traveler looks up the starting addressand/or destination address in his address book and then manually entersthem into the navigator. Because most addresses are relatively long, itis often cumbersome and time consuming to enter the address(es)manually. Furthermore, if the navigator is installed in a rental car,the traveler may be unfamiliar with the entry procedure, and thisunfamiliarity may frustrate the traveler as well as increase the timerequired to enter the address(es). In addition, the traveler may make anentry error, such as pressing the wrong key, and thus may enter anincorrect address. Such an error typically increases the entry time,and, if not discovered, may result in the navigator calculating, and thetraveler following, a route to an undesired destination!

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a navigator receives adestination identifier via transmission or from a storage media anddetermines a route to the destination.

[0006] By transmitting a starting location and/or a destination to anavigator, one can eliminate the need for entering this informationmanually. For example, one typically stores addresses in a device suchas a computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or cellular telephone.Instead of accessing an address and then manually entering it into thenavigator, one can cause the device to upload the address to thenavigator via signal transmission. This saves time and reduces thechance of errors as compared to manual entry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an location-identifier storage devicein communication with a navigator according to an embodiment of theinvention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing the operation of thelocation-identifier storage device and navigator of FIG. 1 according toan embodiment of the invention.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a navigator according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a vehicle that incorporates the navigatorof FIG. 1 or the navigator of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The following discussion is presented to enable one skilled inthe art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to thedisclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the generic principles herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to the embodimentsshown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with theprinciples and features disclosed herein.

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system 10, whichincludes a location-identifier storage device 12 that can communicatewith a GPS navigator 14 via a path 16 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The device 12 stores location identifiers such as addressesand can upload one or more of these addresses to the navigator 14 asstarting or destination addresses. After receiving the starting and/ordestination addresses, the navigator 14 determines a route to thedestination and guides a traveler (not shown) along the route. Thedevice 12 may also store the names of famous locations such as the GrandCanyon and upload such names to the navigator 14 to identify a famousstarting location and/or famous destination. By uploading a locationidentifier to the navigator 14 instead of entering the identifiermanually, one saves time and reduces the chance of errors in theuploaded identifier.

[0013] The device 12, which may be a computer, PDA, cell phone, server,or other device able to store location data, includes a memory 18,processor 20, transmitter/receiver 22, display 24, and input interface26. The memory 18 can store address information for one or more contactpersons (not shown), and may store such information in a format such asthe known vCard format using a software application such as MicrosoftOutlook®. One can enter such information into the memory 18 manually viathe input interface 26, which is typically a keyboard, keypad, or touchscreen. Or, one can load such information into the memory 18 fromanother device, from an email attachment, or via the internet.

[0014] The GPS navigator 14 includes a memory 28, processor 30,transmitter/receiver 32, display 34, and input interface 36. The memory28 stores map and route information for one or more regions. One canenter such information into the memory 18 manually via the inputinterface 26, which is typically a keyboard, keypad, or touch screen.Or, one can load such information into the memory 18 from the device 12,from another device, or via the internet. Alternatively, themanufacturer of the navigator 14 may preprogram such information intothe memory 28.

[0015] The path 16 allows the device 12 to send a location identifier tothe navigator 14 via signal transmission, and typically allows othercommunications between the device and the navigator. For example, thepath 16 may be a wireless radio-frequency (RF) or infrared channel thatcarries RF or infrared signals. Alternatively, the path 16 may include acable that carries optical or electrical signals. For example, the path16 may include a conventional RS-232 cable coupled between the device 12and the navigator 14.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1 and to the flow chart of FIG. 2, a routingprocedure for the navigation system 10 is discussed according to anembodiment of the invention. For purposes of explanation, it is assumedthat addresses, not proper names, of the starting location and thedestination are used, and that these addresses were previously stored inthe memory 18 of the device 12.

[0017] Referring to step 40, a traveler (not shown) first retrieves thedestination address from the addresses stored in the memory 18 of thedevice 12. For example, the traveler uses the input interface 26 toactivate a software application such as Microsoft Outlook® and to selectthe contact entry having the desired destination address.

[0018] Referring to step 42, the traveler then retrieves the startaddress from the memory 18 in a similar manner. Alternatively thetraveler can skip step 42 if the navigator 14 uses its current locationas the starting location.

[0019] Referring to step 44, the traveler then causes the device 12 totransmit the retrieved destination and starting addresses to thenavigator 14. For example, the traveler may view a menu (not shown) onthe display 24 and use the input interface 26 to select atransmit-address function from the menu. In response to this selection,the processor 20 couples the selected addresses from the memory 18 tothe transmitter/receiver 22, which downloads these addresses to thenavigator 14 via the path 16.

[0020] Referring to step 46, the navigator 14 parses the receivedaddresses. More specifically, the processor 30 separates the startingand destination addresses and converts them into a format that iscompatible with the software application that the processor 30 isexecuting.

[0021] Referring to step 48, the navigator 14 determines whether it hasreceived more than one starting and/or destination address. Sometimes, acontact entry in the software application run by the device 12 includesmultiple addresses. For example, the entry may include a contact's homeaddress and business address. If the traveler does not select one ofthese addresses, but merely selects the entire contact entry, then thedevice 12 may send both the home and business addresses to the navigator14 as either the starting address or the destination address. Thenavigator's processor 30 is programmed such that it will not determine aroute if the starting and/or destination address is ambiguous. Thisprevents the processor 30 from determining, and prevents the travelerfrom following, and undesired route.

[0022] Referring to step 50, if the navigator 14 determines that it hasreceived more than one starting or destination address, then displays amessage on the display 34 so that the traveler can select the desiredaddress using the input interface 36. In response to the traveler'sselection, the selected address is marked for use by the navigator 14.Alternatively, the navigator 14 sends a request to the device 12 forclarification. In response to this request, the device's processor 20displays this request on the display 24 so that the traveler can selectthe desired address using the input interface 26. In response to thetraveler's selection, the processor 20 causes the transmitter/receiver22 to send the selected address to the navigator 14.

[0023] Referring to step 52, once the navigator 14 has a single startaddress and a single destination address, it determines whether both ofthese addresses are within a navigation region for which the navigatorstores map information.

[0024] Referring to step 54, if the start address and/or the destinationaddress are not within the navigator's navigation region, then theprocessor 30 displays an “out of region” message on the display 34, andgives the traveler one or more options for correcting the error. Forexample, the traveler may have the option of changing an out-of-regionaddress to an in-region address, loading the navigator 14 with map datafor a region that includes both the starting and destination addresses,and/or canceling the routing procedure. If the traveler chooses to loadnew map data, then he may initiate such loading via the input interface26 of the device 12 or via the input interface 36 of the navigator 14.The navigator 14 loads the new map data as discussed above inconjunction with FIG. 1. Alternatively, the processor 30 sends theout-of-region error message to the device 12. Referring to step 56, inresponse to the out-of-region error message from the navigator 14, thedevice 12 attempts to rectify the error. Specifically, the device'sprocessor 20 displays an “out of region” message on the display 24.

[0025] The traveler then has one or more options such as theabove-described options for correcting the error.

[0026] Referring to step 58, once the navigator 14 determines that thestart and destination addresses are within the navigation region, itcalculates a route from the starting address to the destination address.Specifically, the processor 30 causes the display 34 to display arequest that the traveler confirm that the starting and destinationaddresses are correct. In response to this request, the traveler usesthe input interface 36 to either confirm or deny the accuracy of theaddresses. If the traveler confirms the accuracy of the addresses, thenthe processor 30 calculates the route. If one or both of the addressesare incorrect, the traveler can enter correct addresses by restartingthe routing procedure at step 40.

[0027] Still referring to step 58, alternatively, the processor 30 maysend a request to the device 12 to confirm that the start anddestination addresses are correct. In response to this request, theprocessor 20 causes the display 24 to display this request, and thetraveler uses the input interface 26 to either confirm or deny theaccuracy of the addresses. If the traveler confirms the accuracy of theaddresses, then the processor 20 sends a confirmation to the processor30 via the path 16, and in response to this confirmation, the processor30 calculates the route. If one or both of the addresses are incorrect,the traveler can enter correct addresses by restarting the routingprocedure at step 40.

[0028] Referring to step 60, once the navigator 14 calculates a routebetween the starting and destination addresses, it stores the route inthe memory 28.

[0029] Referring to step 62, the processor 30 causes the display 34 todisplay a request to the traveler “asking” whether there are any otherdestinations that the traveler wishes to visit. Alternatively, thenavigator 14 asks the device 12 whether there are any other destinationsthat the traveler wants to visit. For example, a traveler may want totravel to one destination, stay for a while, then travel to anotherdestination, and so on. If the traveler does wish to visit additionaldestinations, then he selects the additional destination addresses byrepeating the routing procedure starting at step 40.

[0030] Once the navigator 14 has received all destination addresses andhas determined the route through and/or to these destinations, theprocessor 30 ends the routing procedure.

[0031] When the traveler decides to travel, he activates the navigator14, selects the route stored in the memory 28, and causes the navigatorto navigate him along the selected route in a conventional manner.

[0032] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, other embodiments of theroute-determination routine are contemplated. For example, instead ofinitiating the routine from the device 12, the traveler may initiate theroutine from the navigator 14 such that the navigator initiatescommunication with the device and causes the device to download thedesired starting location and destination. Furthermore, although a GPSnavigator is discussed, the navigator 14 may be another type ofnavigator. Moreover, once the navigator 14 receives the desired startinglocation and/or destination from the device 12, the traveler mayinitiate/perform one or more of the steps of the routing procedure fromthe navigator via the input interface 36.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a GPS navigator 70 according toanother embodiment of the invention, where like numbers refer to likecomponents with respect to the navigator 14 of FIG. 1. The navigator 70is similar to the navigator 14 except that it also includes a datareceptacle 72, which allows a traveler (not shown) to download astarting location and/or a destination from a data-storage media such asa floppy disk or a CD-ROM or from a data-storage device such as a memorycard. For example, the traveler may wish to download a destinationaddress from a CD-ROM that includes address and telephone listings foreveryone in the U.S. Like the downloading of starting-location anddestination information from the device 12 as discussed above inconjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, downloading from a data-storage media ordevice is typically faster and more accurate than manual entry.Furthermore, although the traveler may use the device 12 to implementthe routing procedure of FIG. 2, he may also use the input interface 36of the navigator 70 to implement this routine.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a view of an automobile 80 that incorporates thenavigator 14 and/or the navigator 70 of FIGS. 1 and 3 according to anembodiment of the invention. For example purposes, the automobile 80 ishereinafter discussed as including only the navigator 14. In operation,a traveler downloads a start location and/or a destination to thenavigator 14 using the routing procedure discussed above in conjunctionwith FIG. 2 or using a similar procedure. Alternatively, a traveler canuse the routing procedure discussed below for the specific embodiment ofthe navigator 14 discussed below.

[0035] Still referring to FIG. 4, a specific implementation of thenavigator 14 and a corresponding routing procedure are discussedaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The navigator 14 is mountedto the dashboard (not shown) of the automobile 80, and is implementedwith a Compaq iPAQ 3870 pocket personal computer (PC) running aMicrosoft PocketPC 2002 operating system and a CF-card or PCMCIA sleeveinto which is installed a Wireless GPS Card for iPAQ Pocket PCs, andincludes a booster antenna coupled to the GPS Card and mounted in asuitable location in or on the automobile 80. The iPAQ is powered from apermanent connection to the power system (not shown) of the automobile80, or is connected to the auto's cigarette lighter (not shown) via apower cord (not shown). The iPAQ is loaded with GPS software and streetmaps for the desired navigation region and with an address-downloadsoftware application that allows it to receive start and/or destinationaddresses from the device 12 (FIG. 1). This software application may bewritten in any programming language supported on the PocketPC 2002platform such .NET Visual Basic. Furthermore, the iPAQ communicates withthe apparatus 12 over a wireless path 16 (FIG. 1) according to eitherthe Bluetooth (RF) or InfraRed Data Association (IRDA) standards.

[0036] Next, an example procedure for uploading a destination address tothe navigator 14 is discussed. This procedure assumes that the navigator14 uses its current location as the starting location and that thedevice 12 is a Palm m500 PDA with a Palm Bluetooth module.

[0037] First, the navigator 14 is configured according to themanufacturer's instructions to power up with the Bluetooth managersoftware enabled, and to “autorun” the address-download softwareapplication.

[0038] Next, to begin the routing procedure, the traveler powers on hism500, selects the address-book function, and locates the entry, in theform of a previously stored vCard, that contains the destinationaddress.

[0039] Then, the traveler initiates transmission of the vCard from them500 to the navigator 14. Specifically, with the vCard open on thedisplay of the m500, the traveler selects the item “Send Address” on the“[Address] Record” menu. Next, a “Send With” window appears on the m500and offers the traveler transmission choices including “Bluetooth”.Then, the traveler selects “Bluetooth” and waits a few seconds while them500 “locates” the navigator 14. Once the m500 locates the navigator 14,it displays a window “Discovery Results,” and the traveler selects thenavigator from the available choices and then selects “OK”. At thispoint, the m500 transmits the vCard containing the destination addressto the navigator 14.

[0040] Then, the Bluetooth manager of the navigator 14 accepts the vCardand stores it in a predetermined directory known to the address-downloadsoftware application.

[0041] Next, the address-download software application detects thearrival of the vCard and opens it. As discussed above in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1 and 2, if more than one address is present in the vCard,the address-download software application displays the choices on thedisplay screen of the navigator 14 or on the display screen of the m500and alerts the traveler that he needs to select one address. Thetraveler then selects the desired address.

[0042] Once the address-download software application has determined thedestination address from the vCard, it translates this address from thevCard format to the native format of the GPS software and initiates aroute calculation in the GPS software.

[0043] Next, the GPS software calculates the route to the destinationand guides the traveler to the destination in the same way it would havehad the traveler entered the destination address manually through thenavigator's input interface.

[0044] Although the navigator 14 is disclosed as being located in anautomobile 80, the navigator may be located in other types of vehiclessuch as, e.g., a truck, train, boat, plane, motorcycle, or spacecraft.Furthermore, although described as guiding the traveler along the route,the navigator 14 may be designed to directly control the speed,steering, and/or other functions of the automobile 80. Moreover,although described as a Palm m500 PDA, the device 12 may be any otherdevice capable of uploading allocation identifier such as an address tothe navigator 14.

What is claimed:
 1. A navigator, comprising: a receiver operable toreceive a first identifier that identifies a destination; and aprocessor coupled to the receiver and operable to determine a route tothe destination.
 2. The navigator of claim 1 wherein the receiver isoperable to receive the first identifier from a remote device.
 3. Thenavigator of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the receiver isoperable to receive the first identifier from a remote device; and atransmitter for sending data to the device.
 4. The navigator of claim 1wherein the receiver is operable to receive the first identifier from adata-storage medium.
 5. The navigator of claim 1 wherein the receiver isoperable to receive the first identifier via a wireless path.
 6. Thenavigator of claim 1 wherein the receiver is operable to receive theidentifier via a cable.
 7. The navigator of claim 1 wherein theprocessor is operable to determine the route from a starting location.8. The navigator of claim 1 wherein: the receiver is operable to receivea second identifier that identifies a starting location; and theprocessor is operable to determine the route from the starting location.9. A vehicle, comprising: a navigator that includes, a receiver operableto receive an identifier that identifies a destination; and a processorcoupled to the receiver and operable to determine a route to thedestination.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the processor isoperable to navigate the vehicle along the determined route.
 11. Thevehicle of claim 9 wherein the processor is operable to assist anoperator in navigating the vehicle along the determined route.
 12. Asystem, comprising: a navigator, comprising, a receiver operable toreceive a first identifier that identifies a destination, and aprocessor operable to determine a route to the destination; and a remotedevice, comprising, a transmitter operable to send the first identifierto the navigator.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the remoteapparatus comprises a processor coupled to the transmitter and operableto receive the first identifier and to provide the first identifier tothe transmitter.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein the remote devicecomprises a memory coupled to the transmitter and operable to store thefirst identifier and to provide the first identifier to the transmitter.15. The system of claim 12 wherein: the receiver is operable to receivefrom the remote device a second identifier that identifies a startinglocation; and the processor is operable to determine the route from thestarting location.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein: the receiver isoperable to receive from a source other than the remote device a secondidentifier that identifies a starting location; and the processor isoperable to determine the route from the starting location.
 17. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein the navigator comprises aglobal-positioning-system navigator.
 18. The system of claim 12 whereinthe remote device comprises a computer.
 19. The system of claim 12wherein the remote device comprises a telephone.
 20. The system of claim12 wherein the remote device comprises a personal digital assistant. 21.The system of claim 12, further comprising: a vehicle; and wherein thenavigator is disposed in the vehicle.
 22. A method, comprising:receiving an identifier that identifies a location; and sending theidentifier to a navigator.
 23. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising receiving data from the navigator after sending theidentifier to the navigator.
 24. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising storing the identifier remotely from the navigator beforesending the identifier to the navigator.
 25. The method of claim 22wherein the identifier composes a portion of an electronic contact card.26. A method, comprising: receiving a first identifier that identifies adestination; and determining a route to the destination.
 27. The methodof claim 26 wherein receiving the identifier comprises receiving theidentifier from a data-storage medium.
 28. The method of claim 26wherein receiving the identifier comprises receiving the identifier froma remote source.
 29. The method of claim 26, further comprising:receiving a second identifier that identifies a starting location; anddetermining the route from the starting location.
 30. The method ofclaim 26, further comprising: receiving coordinates of a currentlocation from a global-positioning system; determining the currentlocation from the coordinates; and determining the route from thedetermined current location.